Shubman Gill’s Ranji Trophy Return: A Comeback After Two Years

Indian cricket sensation Shubman Gill is poised to return to the Ranji Trophy after over two years, marking his much-anticipated comeback on January 23 for Punjab's clash against Karnataka in the ongoing 2024/25 season. This move follows debates surrounding the significance of domestic cricket for India's top batters, especially after their lackluster show in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy .

A Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) source confirmed Gill’s participation, which will be crucial as Punjab sits second in Group C, narrowly trailing Karnataka. Both teams have six wins in seven matches, separated only by net run rate.

Gill’s return to red-ball domestic cricket comes after limited appearances, with his last Ranji Trophy game being the June 2022 quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh, where Punjab suffered a 10-wicket defeat. Since then, Gill has featured in just one domestic red-ball game, the Duleep Trophy match in September 2024.

In parallel, speculation surrounds India captain Rohit Sharma 's involvement in the Ranji Trophy. While Rohit is set to join Mumbai’s practice on January 14, his availability for the upcoming match against Jammu and Kashmir remains uncertain.

Gill’s comeback promises to boost Punjab’s performance as they aim to overtake Karnataka in their group standings, adding to the excitement of the Ranji Trophy season.